In an effort to fight heart disease, a leading killer in North Carolina, East Carolina University and the University Health Systems began planning for the Cardiovascular Diseases Institute on the Health Sciences Campus in 2004.
Stewart performed the structural design, which involved two components – a 180,000 square-foot cardiovascular clinical research, outpatient programs and education center; the second, a 40,000 square foot addition to the Warren Life Science Building for a cardiovascular basic science research center. The Institute houses clinical programs, clinical research, a cardiovascular data center and educational programs. The facility also provides office space for clinician and support staff, researchers and clinical administrators.
The structure was designed with composite metal deck and concrete floor systems, cold-formed steel framed walls and structural masonry shear walls. It had extensive concrete pile caps and grade beams for the foundation system connecting the auger cast piles. The structural steel frame system also had spray applied fireproofing that was inspected and tested.
Critical components on this project were the special foundations, where over 800 auger cast piles were monitored during installation. The structural steel members and connections were designed and inspected with both visual and non-destructive testing methods. This included continuous inspections during the on-site erection and welding, when required, as well as periodic ultrasonic and magnetic particle testing of the structural welds. Other inspections included masonry, soil, fireproofing and cast-in-place concrete.
Based on the code requirements of the region, seismic and high wind load requirements had to be documented for the structure, the exterior envelope veneer and roofing.
